Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers picks, predictions, odds: Who wins NLDS?
The Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers play in the National League Division Series of the MLB Playoffs starting with Game 1 on Saturday, Oct. 7, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
Check out these picks, predictions and odds for the MLB postseason series, which can be seen on TBS, with Game 1 at 6:20 p.m. MST.
The Dodgers are favored in the series against the Diamondbacks, with DraftKings giving Los Angeles -205 odds to win the series and Arizona +175 odds.
The Dodgers went 100-62 on the season and advanced to the postseason as the NL West champions. They are the No. 2 seed in the National League playoffs.
The Diamondbacks went 84-78 and advanced as the No. 6 NL team, the last team to make the playoffs in the National League. They beat the No. 3 seed Milwaukee Brewers in two games in the Wild Card round.
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The Athletic: Why Diamondbacks will win NLDS vs. Dodgers
Sam Blum writes: "The Diamondbacks did themselves a massive favor by sweeping Milwaukee instead of going the distance. That sets them up to have four of the potential five games started by their two best pitchers: Kelly and Gallen. That’s a potential leg up on a Dodgers team with a lot of young starting pitching behind ace Kershaw. The Diamondbacks are playing with house money in this series. They’ll be the heavy underdogs and have nothing to lose. It was the same situation against the Brewers. They’ve been playing meaningful games for a long time now, while the Dodgers have had the division locked up for about two months. The D-Backs are youthful, speedy and fun. If they win this series, it’s because their starting pitching kept them in games, and their offense hit in big moments like it did in Milwaukee. There will be no secrets between these division foes. Arizona is not the top dog in the NL West. But it doesn’t need to be. All that matters is these next five games. The D-Backs are set up well for shorter series. And because of that, there’s a pathway for them to advance."
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NOLA.com: Dodgers will win series vs. Diamondbacks in 5 games
Thomas Casale writes: The problem is Arizona's pitchers will be facing a loaded Dodgers lineup that finished second in MLB in both home runs and runs batted in led by Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy and Mookie Betts. The trio combined for 104 home runs and 314 RBIs during the regular season. While this matchup between familiar foes should be interesting, the Dodgers just have too much firepower in a seven-game series. I expect them to end Arizona's run and advance to the NLCS."
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Bleacher Report: Dodgers favored against Diamondbacks in NLDS
Erin Walsh writes: "The back-to-back comeback victories prove that Arizona has what it takes to win, but now they face an incredibly tough battle with the Dodgers in the NLDS. … With L.A. having home-field advantage, the Dodgers will surely have the upper-hand against a young Diamondbacks team that has exceeded expectations all year long. … Given L.A.'s championship pedigree, it's going to be hard for the Diamondbacks to pull off the upset. That said, nothing's impossible."
Los Angeles Times: Dodgers could make it a quick series vs. Diamondbacks
Jack Harris writes: "The Dodgers could make it a quick series. They had success against both Gallen and Kelly this season, scoring 20 runs against the duo in 30⅓ combined innings (a 5.93 ERA). After struggling against Arizona’s dynamic running game early in the year — the Diamondbacks opened the season with five wins (and 12 steals) in eight games against the Dodgers over the first two weeks — the Dodgers rebounded, overtaking the Diamondbacks for first place in late July before winning five straight in the rivalry during August to run away with the division crown. … Beyond the rotation, the Dodgers’ advantages over the Diamondbacks are much more stark. The Dodgers ranked second in the majors in scoring at 5.6 runs per game, 12 spots and a full run better than the Diamondbacks. Even after early struggles by their relievers, the Dodgers’ bullpen also was more stout, finishing with a third-ranked ERA of 3.42 compared to Arizona’s 18th-ranked 4.22. All of it should make the Dodgers favorites to advance to the NLCS. They should have every opportunity to continue their Diamondbacks dominance."
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The Athletic: Why Dodgers will win NLDS vs. Diamondbacks
Fabian Ardaya writes: "For the second consecutive year, the Dodgers will wind up waiting on a familiar NL West foe in the NLDS. And while the Diamondbacks don’t match the level of star power or elite bullpen that the Padres did a year ago, they have their own ways of challenging this Dodgers roster. Just look at April, when Arizona ran (literally) all over the Dodgers in a series at Chase Field that raised alarm bells about the Dodgers’ ability to adjust to MLB’s new rules. The Dodgers have since adjusted (dumping Noah Syndergaard, who allowed 20 stolen bases in 12 starts, off the roster helped), but can the Dodgers continue to assert their will in this shortened series? They should. While the Diamondbacks could still theoretically line up Kelly and Gallen to pitch four of the five potential games, the Dodgers’ overall lineup depth should still be enough to wear down the rest of Arizona’s pitching staff. The club’s young pitching has appeared to turn a corner, as has its bullpen. Los Angeles separated itself during the regular season despite the very same questions that would plague it in a postseason series. The Dodgers will not run out a traditional pitching staff but still have enough intriguing arms to prevent runs. They also have the two best players in the series, though Carroll has certainly made a name for himself."
STREAM THE SERIES: Watch Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers live with FUBO (free trial)
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers NLDS picks, predictions
